Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Opinion: Can an iPad replace a laptop?
- Thread starter markrox7
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If it had a better multitasking system...maybe.
Even then, doing things with a laptop is just way faster.
If don't plan on gaming, photo editing, etc...
Even when typing, your gonna need like a wireless keyboard.
Even then, doing things with a laptop is just way faster.
If don't plan on gaming, photo editing, etc...
Even when typing, your gonna need like a wireless keyboard.
I'm also someone whose iPad replaced their laptop. I don't even use my desktop as often anymore. There are a few things I occasionally miss, but for me the trade off was worth it for having something I can much more easily carry around and use. Even the lightest notebook has to be set down soemwhere to use effectively.
Ok, first point, exactly how many iPads have sold? And that compares with the numbers of PCs sold in one year how? Now, it's important to mention the number of people that have said they've bought more than one generation of the iPad when we're only on number three now, so taking all that into account, I'd say it's safe to assume "most people"... Just don't have one yet, so broad speculations about the needs and desires of "most people" are... Well, just that. It's not to say that you aren't right, but I'd take a step back and re-evaluate at least.
The second point of concern would be the number of Apple marketing phrases buried in your speech (an app for that being the biggie, but look at your post, and you should pick up at least four more that I saw). If you believe them, that's fine, but any time an ad or slogan gets in my head enough that I use it in a discussion, I stop to think if I believe it, or if I was sold that idea... Two different thought processes there...
As for the rest, I'd say for me, it needs a file system. I'm decently happy with the Open In feature, but it has one issue. I end up with multiple versions of docs and files, and it's tough to keep track of which is the latest copy (not to mention the space lost because of duplicate files, on a system without a lot of storage). QuickOffice has a feature called SaveBack. Not sure if this is a system feature or App feature, but if this was more widely used in iOS, open a file and save back to the original app... Even that would satisfy a lot of my issues.
Yeah music videos are blocked cause I am on a mobile device it says... That's really annoying and driving me crazy
Yes, but there are trade off's to the 'benefits'. For instance, a Truck (OSX Machine) will do everything you need. But by comparison, an iPad is a sportscar. True, it won't tow a boat, but that's what the old dinosaur '76 Chevy (iMac) is for - parked in the garage for when you really need one. Some people LIKE driving their gargantuan, hulking beast of a truck around town - i.e. a 15" MBP. And that's fine for them. But me, I'll commute in the Miata everyday - and when I absolutely have no other choice, I'll use the Pickup.
D.
D.
That depends
For me personally, no. iPad still doesn't support Flash. Also, you are limited by the apps available in the app store. You cannot download whatever you want (unless it's jailbroken). You are also missing so many features a computer has. The most apparent is Applications like the Adobe suites and the Apple professional apps, word processors, etc...
For me personally, no. iPad still doesn't support Flash. Also, you are limited by the apps available in the app store. You cannot download whatever you want (unless it's jailbroken). You are also missing so many features a computer has. The most apparent is Applications like the Adobe suites and the Apple professional apps, word processors, etc...
I think an iPad can easily replace a laptop/desktop for people who only surf the web, email, and occasionally watch some videos. That's what the iPad is for, plus it's more entertainment friendly and much more mobile.
For those who need a computer for programming, intense gaming (although I think that experience is better on an iPad but some people disagree…), etc. then the iPad could be more of an extension rather than a replacement of their laptop/desktop.
And then I think it's a toss-up for students. On one hand, the iPad is really thin and light and can have all of the student's necessary textbooks (that are interactive and better) and taking notes/typing is possible, it just takes getting used to. Some students would rather have a laptop to take to class, but I think an iPad would be better.
For those who need a computer for programming, intense gaming (although I think that experience is better on an iPad but some people disagree…), etc. then the iPad could be more of an extension rather than a replacement of their laptop/desktop.
And then I think it's a toss-up for students. On one hand, the iPad is really thin and light and can have all of the student's necessary textbooks (that are interactive and better) and taking notes/typing is possible, it just takes getting used to. Some students would rather have a laptop to take to class, but I think an iPad would be better.
Not sure what you mean by cannot download programs or upload to website, clearly the App Store supports downloading of all the programs in the store, and there are both browser and file manager apps that allow both downloading and uploading from websites.
For this, definitely. It's better than a PC for these things and cheaper. Unlike many here, I'm answering your question about whether or not it would work for you. I'm more of a big, clunky Mac Pro person.
----------
Wait, Miatas aren't sports cars
For me it almost has, I require the Adobe suite for my work but I do that all in my office on my iMac, I have a MacBook Air which just sits there gathering dust, the only time I use it being when I'm traveling and know I need to do work on OSX. iPad caters to nearly 100% of my casual personal computing.
Ugh, I hate it when mobile devices are treated differently. My iPhone's user agent has been changed to Google Chrome for the PC version of Windows. It's so much better this way.
This idea that iPads are only for frivolous consumption and no serious or professional work can be done on them ... Well, just 2 examples: Gorillaz wrote a whole album on an iPad,david Hockney produces art on an iPad.
It would be more accurate for the detractors to say THEY can't produce anything on an iPad!
Also, they are saving a lot of trees. How many iPad users have reduced the amount of paper they previously used? I hardly ever buy newspapers or magazines in print form, and i am generally much better informed on a broad range of topics. I wouldn't be browsing this forum while sitting at my desk, for example, I would be working. It is taking longer to type this with one finger on my iPad 2 than it would take on my iMac keyboard, but I can't lay down on my bed and type on my iMac. And my cats think the iPad is fab because I'm at my desk much less and laying around in sunny spots with them more, while still being PRODUCTIVE ... Because most of my so-called iPad consumption is about learning things, for work and for the sake of learning!
It would be more accurate for the detractors to say THEY can't produce anything on an iPad!
Also, they are saving a lot of trees. How many iPad users have reduced the amount of paper they previously used? I hardly ever buy newspapers or magazines in print form, and i am generally much better informed on a broad range of topics. I wouldn't be browsing this forum while sitting at my desk, for example, I would be working. It is taking longer to type this with one finger on my iPad 2 than it would take on my iMac keyboard, but I can't lay down on my bed and type on my iMac. And my cats think the iPad is fab because I'm at my desk much less and laying around in sunny spots with them more, while still being PRODUCTIVE ... Because most of my so-called iPad consumption is about learning things, for work and for the sake of learning!
I was planning on getting an iPad instead of a laptop a few years ago, but after using iOS I've realized that there's no competition between that and a full blown computer. Don't get me wrong, iPhones are absolutely amazing, and I absolutely love what they can do and what I can use them for, but they haven't surpassed laptops yet, and one more thing, Apple NEEDS to optimize iOS for the iPad, they're wasting SO much screen space by simply making iOS elements take up more space, instead of really optimizing it for the screen size.
In related news, I'd ****ing LOVE being able to use an iPad in lieu of a Wacom tablet, because it'd offer SO much more flexibility, and ability and the price difference would be totally worth it IMO, anyone agree or disagree?
In related news, I'd ****ing LOVE being able to use an iPad in lieu of a Wacom tablet, because it'd offer SO much more flexibility, and ability and the price difference would be totally worth it IMO, anyone agree or disagree?
Yeah music videos are blocked cause I am on a mobile device it says... That's really annoying and driving me crazy
Vevo...
As in use the iPad wirelessly connected to a computer? What would be on the screen of the iPad then? Or would it just be blank but allow you to draw on the computer screen like a Wacom does?
How would it be more flexible?
Yes I ask a lot of questions
Personally, It depends what you use your laptop for? If it is internet browsing, youtube, emails etc etc, Yes. If basic work documentation, No.
Never.
1 - I work on my systems, as most I know. I need screen real estate for work, FCP HD rendering on even a laptop is painful, especially when time = money. A laptop is good for on location work. An iPad would never work in those situations.
2 - iPad's are consumer devices; they "consume" media/apps/music/etc, but rarely produce in comparison. I've tried using iWork "Pages" and "Numbers, "iPhoto", "iMovie", they're painful on such a small screen and simply take more of my time.
Bottom line, for average use, media playing, "consuming", at the moment iPad's are fun, great for entertainment. For work/production, sometimes even notebooks aren't enough.
Desktops aren't dead, this is an Apple "Jobs-ian" theory, and it's not simply due to a lack of power but desktop real estate necessary for work.
1 - I work on my systems, as most I know. I need screen real estate for work, FCP HD rendering on even a laptop is painful, especially when time = money. A laptop is good for on location work. An iPad would never work in those situations.
2 - iPad's are consumer devices; they "consume" media/apps/music/etc, but rarely produce in comparison. I've tried using iWork "Pages" and "Numbers, "iPhoto", "iMovie", they're painful on such a small screen and simply take more of my time.
Bottom line, for average use, media playing, "consuming", at the moment iPad's are fun, great for entertainment. For work/production, sometimes even notebooks aren't enough.
Desktops aren't dead, this is an Apple "Jobs-ian" theory, and it's not simply due to a lack of power but desktop real estate necessary for work.
Most posts in this thread have missed the OP's original intent
The OP clearly states casual things, no professional software needs, surfing, emailing
All the talk about FCP, MS Office, Flash, file system, etc. do not come into play here
There is no question in my mind that an iPad can't replace a laptop or desktop for everything they do
But, for the things the OP has defined, IMO it can easily do that
I have the new iPad and the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard
It isn't clunky, works exceptionally well, and allows me to do all the OP wants and much more
Yes, if I need MS Office, or FCP, I use my MBA, but that isn't the question is it?
At least from the OP
An iPad may not be able to replace your laptop/desktop, but for the OP, I think it can
And could for many others
As in use the iPad wirelessly connected to a computer? What would be on the screen of the iPad then? Or would it just be blank but allow you to draw on the computer screen like a Wacom does?
How would it be more flexible?
Yes I ask a lot of questions
It'd be more flexible, because when you were done using it as a wacom, you still have an iPad. I was thinking you might be able to actually see the pic itself on the screen.